BJP blames Prime Minister DK Shivakumar

The BJP on Monday (August 26) blamed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for the “special treatment” given to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in Bengaluru Central Jail.

Darshan is currently in judicial custody in Parappana Agrahara Jail in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.

On Sunday, a photo surfaced on social media showing the actor smoking with a coffee cup in his hand in the Central Jail, sparking an uproar.

The picture shows Darshan sitting comfortably on a lawn in the prison grounds with three others, including two suspected rowdy sheet coaters.

As a result, seven prison officials were suspended on Monday and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the actor would be shifted to another prison.

Addressing the media on the issue, R. Ashoka, the BJP's opposition leader in the Karnataka Assembly, said Shivakumar met Darshan and “assured him of all help”.

“The big question is how did a mobile phone get into the prison to take this picture? The inmates are given coffee, cigarettes, food and drugs without fear. The state government must give an answer to this,” said Ashoka.

“We have already mentioned it. Law and order has broken down in the state and this jail incident is an example of it. Rape and murder cases are on the rise. Ministers are only worried about whether the government will survive or not,” he added.

Last month, Shivakumar had said he would help Darshan if he faced injustice and when asked about his statement, he clarified, “I said this when Darshan's fans were chanting slogans demanding justice for the actor. Darshan is in judicial custody and the police are investigating. I never interfere in the investigation or the judicial process. The law will take its course.”